Extension Diabetes Workshop and Portable Cooking School a Huge Success 

	Auburn, May 10---Just when one major health system in south central Alabama announced 
almost 300 job cuts, many of which include diabetes educators, another organization has stepped 
in to help the people of Alabama.
The Alabama Cooperative Extension System recently sponsored a Diabetes Workshop 
and Portable Cooking School in Montgomery, that provided a wealth of information on diabetes 
helpful to health care providers, county agents and others dealing with diabetes' patients. 
"It was incredible how the workshop came together.  We had more than 100 people from 
throughout the state attend," said Dr. Evelyn Crayton, a registered dietitian and foods and nutrition 
specialist with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System.
 "The staff of the Department of Public Health Diabetes Control Program helped cosponsor 
the event.  All of the organizations and agencies that were called upon either helped financially or 
sponsored speakers. We had the best speakers, some of whom were diabetics or had loved ones 
with the disease.  They were knowledgeable and passionate about the needs of people in the 
state," Crayton added. 
Workshops provided updates on foot and eye care, drugs for treating diabetes, nutrition 
and diet management, food safety, herbs and diabetes, exercise and physical activity, and long-
term complications of the disease.  Important things to ask when you visit your doctor, things to do 
if you are sick, and Medicare coverage of diabetes, the future of implantable glucose sensing, and 
an update on new technology and equipment, including insulin pump therapy also were discussed. 
"Healthy eating and proper diet are essential factors in controlling diabetes," said Crayton.  
"Extension county agents hope to organize diabetes support groups and coalitions that will 
help educate Alabamians about diabetes management.  Extension's main role in the coalitions will 
be to provide nutritional information and recipes appropriate for people with diabetes through 
cooking school demonstrations."  
Health care providers in the coalition will handle the clinical part of the disease. 
The Extension office in Madison County already has an active group established.  The 
group meets monthly and provides valuable and timely information about nutrition and diabetes 
management to the public. Through the help of volunteers, the group also produces and distributes 
a free "Diabetics Newsletter."

Source:  Dr. Evelyn Crayton, Foods and Nutrition Specialist, Alabama Cooperative 
Extension System, (334) 844-2224